Elle Macpherson Speaks About Wellness, Australia and Offers Advice to Younger Self

welleco.com

Elle Macpherson is a model, actress and business woman. She has graced dozens of magazine, from the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue (covers include: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2006) to Vogue (Australia, British, Italia, Russia) and worked with many brands, from Revlon to Biotherm to Louis Vuitton to Ralph Lauren to Victoria’s Secret to Omega Watches and was an UNICEF UK Ambassador for Baby Friendly Initiative in 2005.

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In addition to all of this, Elle launched a workout video, “Your Personal Best – The Body Workout” in 1995, and later Elle Macpherson Intimates and her latest venture, WelleCo.

Being known as “The Body” and with such an entrepreneurial spirit (remember the Fashion Cafe she founded with Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer?), we had to learn more about WelleCo, her approach to health & wellness and her active lifestyle.

MalenDyer: First things first. When did you know that something in your lifestyle needed to change?
EM: I was in my late 40s and noticed I was lacking in energy and inspiration. I wasn’t getting a good night’s sleep and just felt sluggish. This is when I sought advice from my nutritionist, Dr. Simone Laubscher, who put me on an alkaline diet. Immediately, I discovered the profound benefit of good nutrition and eating alkaline.

EM: Now, being 52 years old, I wouldn’t still be working if I wasn’t strong and well-nourished with energy and vitality.

MD: In addition to adhering to an alkaline lifestyle, share with us more about your relationship with Ayurveda.
EM: Traditional Ayurveda medicine can be traced back 5000 years. Some aspects I have adopted in my modern, everyday routine are:

  • I drink warm water with lemon to cleanse the digestive tract.
  • In cooking, I add; turmeric, ginger, parsley, mint and sage to improve digestion and balance metabolism.
  • I do a plant-based week, increasing my greens, at the change of every season, as a way of cleansing my body.
  • I wake up early and do yoga or go for a walk – something for myself before the rest of the house wakes and the busy day starts.

MD: In addition to focusing on greens, you also offer protein options, which we admit, we have tried our fair share of. What differentiates yours from others on the market?
EM: We all need protein. We don’t store it. We have to eat it. THE SUPER ELIXIR Nourishing Protein is very clean; plant based and contains no whey ingredients. It is full of vitamins, minerals and pro and prebiotics. I believe plant protein is easier to digest and better for you then whey or soy-based proteins.

twomummasgetfit/instagram
twomummasgetfit/instagram

MD: Why prompted you to add tea to your product offering?
EM: I used to find it difficult to unwind at the end of the day, to stop my mind racing as I lay in bed trying to get to sleep – So I spoke to Dr. Laubscher and asked her if we could create a calming bedtime tea. THE SUPER ELIXIR Sleep Welle Tea has a therapeutic dose of Valerian Root (natures Valium!), Hops and Skullcap. Sipping on this help me drift off into a deep restorative sleep or even during the day to assist with anxiety and stress.

MD: There are WelleCo products for women, men and children. Why do you feel nutrition is a family activity or should be for all genders/ages?
EM: Along with my cofounder, Andrea Bux, we wanted to start a premium wellness company with the mission: “create the things you wish existed”. That’s what we have done at WelleCo from the start. We are aiming at creating the world’s premium wellness company, one destination to source nutritional products for the whole family. Wellness isn’t defined by age or gender; it involves making the best choices for yourself and your family.

“Beauty isn’t skin deep, it comes from within.”

MD: What have you found as a common mistake or misconception that people make with their wellbeing?
EM: I prefer not to give advice, as everyone has the choice of what they like to eat or how they like to exercise… I just share what works for me. It is up to the individual to discover what will make their heart and body sing.

MD: What would you want to share with your younger self, as it relates to nutrition?
EM: Hmmm, there is a lot of advice I would like to give to my younger self…. One thing I have learnt over the years is that beauty isn’t skin deep, it comes from within. The best way to keep your skin looking radiant, youthful and blemish-free at any age is to nourish your body with nutrients at a cellular level with an alkaline diet. That’s part of the reason we created THE SUPER ELIXIR – it’s a way to fast track to good health and glowing skin. A balance of healthy nutrition, exercise, lots of water, lots of laughter and lots of love is how I choose to live my life now. Today, I focus on how I feel… beauty comes from the inside and radiates out.

EM: Also, be kind to yourself, everyday remember something you love doing and incorporate this into your life. A healthy life is a balance of good nutrition, exercise, love and laughter!

MD: We love the collaboration with Aerin Lauder – so chic, especially when knowing it houses so much nutrition. How did this collaboration come about?
EM: Aerin represents American beauty at its best – timeless and so elegant. Her style and personality are an inspiration to many, myself included. We both have a shared love of wellness and beauty. While in Montauk last year, I sent Aerin a direct Instagram message saying I had an idea for a collaboration that combined these elements.

Photo: welleco
Photo: welleco

EM: It was our intention to create a beautiful and purposeful gift. A unique, handcrafted, gold ceramic jar filled with 600g (three months worth) of our premium alkalizing greens in her signature gold and shargreen style. And yes! This limited edition lux caddy is the chicest way to display our all-in-one, all-plant daily multivitamin.

MD: Let’s get to some downtime discussions. You were born in Australia and lived in London, New York City and now in Miami. How do you feel the beach life of Australia has influenced your outlook on living a healthy lifestyle?
EM: Australia will always be my home. When I think about what I loved as a kid it is the same activities I gravitate towards now as an adult.

EM: I grew up going on swimming and water skiing weekends down the south coast of New South Wales. Australia has the most beautiful beaches and weather; it encourages an outdoor and active lifestyle. It’s where I developed a love for being out on the water. In Miami, I go wakeboarding with the boys, a lot, it’s so much fun and a wonderful workout.

“A healthy life is a balance of good nutrition, exercise, love and laughter!”

MD: What can we expect to see (and possibly experience) next from WelleCo?
EM: Our offering has grown from our signature SUPER ELIXIR Alkalizing Greens and pure plant-based Protein supplements, to good clean kid’s snacks, a veggie wash that removes pesticides and Sleep Welle Valerian tea.

EM: We are aiming at creating the world’s premium wellness company, one destination, to help make your everyday life well and easier.

EM: Plans are underway for everyday essentials – like a healthy deodorant, toothpaste and body scrub. We have all these lines coming to welleco.com soon. 2017 is going to be a very busy year.

Photo: welleco
Photo: welleco

Connect with Elle:
Instagram @ellemacphersonofficial
Twitter @ellemacpherson
welleco.com

Elle is represented by:
D’Management Group – Milan
Louisa Models – Munich